Staring at the darkened screen for a long moment, I set the device down and sighed. Cautious optimism lit in my chest. I wanted things to work with Luke. Badly. Our one night together had set aside my misgivings about his age.
But I wouldn’t unreservedly fall at his feet. Letting him—or anyone—stomp all over my heart wasn’t something I’d ever do.
CHAPTER 14
Luke
Goosebumps prickled my skin and a fine tremor went through my hand as I raised it to press the doorbell at Claire’s. Trepidation skittered over my nerve endings. Mina’s car was already in the driveway. She’d sounded distant and a little angry when we first spoke earlier today. I couldn’t blame her. I’d virtually ghosted her.
Not intentionally.
Well, not entirely.
Subconsciously, I think, something had stopped me from calling her or texting her. Not because I didn’t want to spend time with her, but because I wasn’t really sure how to handle the feelings she provoked. No woman had ever invaded my every waking thought the way she had. Not contacting her was my way of giving myself space, and I’d used my schedule as an excuse.
The door swung inward, revealing Ozzie’s stern but welcoming face. “Hey. Come on in.” Stepping back, he nodded for me to come inside.
I walked in, letting my eyes track over the living and dining areas beyond the entryway. Mina sat at the table with Claire, sipping from a glass of water.
My heart sped up at the sight of her smiling at her friend over the rim of her glass. When she turned to look at me, a guardedness entered her eyes. My nerves increased. Was she still upset? I needed to do some groveling.
Lifting a hand in greeting, I smiled. “Hey.”
A hesitant, shy smile flitted with her pretty lips. Some of the guardedness was chased away by a quick lick of heat in her blue eyes. “Hey.”
“No bedroom eyes in my house.” Ozzie waved a finger back and forth between us.
Mina’s cheeks colored.
I laughed, hoping to keep Mina from feeling embarrassed about our relationship—or lack thereof. “We’ll behave.”
“Good. Because as much as I would love to talk about something besides the body you two found, that’s not it.” Grinning, Ozzie crossed to the kitchen.
I glanced over and saw aluminum trays of crab and other sides on the island. Ozzie hefted a tray of crab legs.
Hurrying over, I gestured to the pans. “Here, let me help.” In a couple of strides, I was at his side, grabbing the tray full of scalloped potatoes.
“Thanks,” Ozzie murmured.
We carried the food to the table. Someone—Claire or Ozzie—had already brought over dishes and silverware.
“Do you want something to drink?” Claire asked me, getting up.
“I can get it,” I replied, looking up as I set the last tray down.
“It’s fine. I want some water, anyway.”
“Oh. All right. Just water, too, please.” Offering her a quick smile, I took a seat across from Mina. Ozzie sat next to me.
When Claire returned to the table a few moments later, I smiled at her in thanks as she set a glass of water at my side.
Rounding the table, she sat down. “Dig in,” she said, reaching for a set of tongs to put some crab legs on her plate. “I’m starving.”
“You know, when you said you’d feed us, I was thinking a casserole. Not Kellerman’s.” Mina took the tongs from Claire.
“Yeah, well, we both had long days and didn’t feel like cooking.” Claire nodded toward Ozzie.
“I’m not complaining.” I took the tongs when Mina passed them over. “I like crab legs. Thank you for dinner.”
